The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-05-11

Susan" shrieked Mrs. Stokes, put.
ting her head out of the carriage, " don't
forget your shawl; it may rain-and an
umbrella. Lock the door, O, shut the
milk-room window; forgot it," But
by the time she had finished her direc'
tions she was quite distance down the
road.
What was it ma said?" asked Susan
"She said to lock the door and shut
some window. / did not hear which
one it was"
Mas always worrying for fear some
thing is left open. She woke father up
in sermon time, one Sunday, to ask if
he had locked the barn-door. People
heard her three pews off, and the
young folks giggled right out, for she
had to nudge faithfully for three min
utes before he woke"
Dan laughed. Then he said: " When
you and l 60 to meeting together, dear
/ won't 60 to sleep. When shall that
time be, Susan?'' He put his arm
around her, but Susan drew away from
him, saying: Don't you hinder me
Dan; I've got to get ready" and flee
into the house to hide her blushing face
After a little they were ready to start
Dan gathered up the reins and
whistled to the horse, who knew the
signal and started off at good speed.
They rode for a few moments in ST.
lence. Then Dan said, in a low voice
"You didn't tell me, Susan"
"Tell you what?'' asked Susan
knowing perfectly well what he meant
but feeling little strange in her new
relation to the young man at her side
"Susan, won'tyou marry me to-day?'
Susan gasped, "To-day! Why Oar
Strong, what an ideaW
81 call it real good idea," contin-
ued the young man.
"But today" said Susan, amazed at
his audacity.
"Well, why not? You know me, fol-
I've lived with your father these three
years. Haven't l behaved myself
Susan? Are you afraid to trust your
self to me, darling?"
"N-o, but it's so soon, Dan; wait q
little while. Mother doesn't know
yet"
"You can tell her when we get there
dear. Don't you see that the elder will
be there to-day and we shan't see him
again for year. And you know there
amt a minister in long way from your
house. Not that it is a simple matter
of convenience to be married to-day
but it seems to me altogether the best
plan. Now say yes, Susan, do"
1t took a deal of coaxing to convince
Susan, but at last she said Eyes" and
the matter was settled" that is" said
Susan, " if father and mother don't OBJ.
| ject." If they do we must bring 'en
'round," replied Dan.
On their way they saw Uncle Reuben
Stokes of Bean Village with two young
girls from that region. Uncle Reuben
was bachelor, but Dame Rumor said
that this was soon to be otherwise
Then there was Simon Peel and his
family from Turtleton, four miles off
in another direction, and many others
Some of the horses that they saw were
broken down, looking as if this were the
last camp-meeting they would ever at
tend. Some young colts SHE'D at every
wood-pile and tree-stump by the way
and staid old roadsters ambled easily
along with wagons containing father
mother and several young hopefuls.
The girls envied Susan, for Dan wa:
considered "quite good-looking wher
he was dressed up" and the girl was
thought fortunate whom he took &c
singing-school and other entertain
ments.
In course of time they arrived at the
camp-ground. The horse was taken
from the buggy and hitched to tree
and the pair started for the preaching
stand, whittier all were vending theil
way. They took a seat near Mr.. ant
Mrs. Stokes, who were, however, un
aware of their presence. Sam was sit
ting very still, and Dan remarked on i
to Susan as something quite unusual
But he had no sooner gotten the words
out of his mouth before a cloud o
hornets rose in the neighbOrhood anC
the boy started up with yell and dis
appeared among the trees and bushes
Sam had brought them carefully in hi
pocket shut up in glass bottle. From
some Acknowledgement on his part on,
of the insects stung him before it de
parted to join its companions. No
understanding the cause of the disturb
ance, Mrs. Stokes merely said: Land
that boy is up to his capers again,
and, when people looked around in
quiringly, tried to look as if the boy
who had just aroused the WOODLAND
echoes, did not belong to her. Jus
then a loud voice struck up familia
tune and everybody joined in. Thel
came lengthy discourse, which was de
livered energetically, after which tn
people rushed off to lunch.
Where's SAM" asked Mrs. Stokes
Has anybody seen him since he wen
out of the meetin' in that disgracefu
way?"
NO" said Susan; I'll go look 70
him.
$50 will l." said Dan, joining her
and they walked away through the trees
"Seems to me he's amazin' attentiv
to our Susan" remarked Aunt erusha
go, nonsense" said Mrs. Stokes
Susan's only eighteen; she's to-
young"
How old were you when you wer
married, Marthy?" queried Aunt Je
rusha, sharply.
Seventeen and a half; but then
faint everybody could get such mai
as I've got And then, Susan hasn'
got such an idea in her head"
" Dan has anyway. Did you see hin
look at her?"
Well, Dams good fellow, and he
got some money in the bank at the city,
AT that moment Sam appeared, look